So, I know I've been really absent from HF, but I always feel like you guys are so supportive and full of awesome advice and you always seem excited whenever people post updates (including me) so here's an update for you!

If you remember, earlier this year I bought a little grey mare who'd been sitting in a pasture for 2 months after being pulled from race training. I'm happy to say she's really doing well, despite a few setbacks in the past 6 months. She's had an abscess, mysterious (and random) nosebleeds and in September she had a very nasty experience with colic that the vet was about 90% positive she would not walk away from without surgery (which is not an option for me, financially) that she ended up 100% recovering from. I've really enjoyed working with her, despite these bumps in the road, and I've got some photos for you!

These last two are from today. She jumped a little corner for the first time as well as a single barrel on its side (did not get a photo of that one unfortunately). She's currently schooling 2'6"-2'9" courses and jumping 3'0" or 3'3" occasionally in our gridwork. The lattice rolltop is about 3'0" with the flowers on top.

Beautiful, she is progressing amazingly. So glad she made it though the colic episode.

Shouldn't she be given a bit more rein over the fences? It looks as if her nose is pulled in a bit in many of the jumps. I'm no cross country expert but showed hunter over fences for many years.

MyBoyPuck

10-20-2013 06:10 PM

Nice job. She certainly is coming along nicely. Love how her back is up in that 2nd flat pic from October. Form is improving with jumping too. Pretty girl!

Skyseternalangel

10-20-2013 06:32 PM

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She looks amazing! And how awesome that you two are coming together as a team.

I can't wait for the next update!

Strange

10-20-2013 09:32 PM

@EponaLynn - Thank you! And right now that's just her jumping style. She's still learning to really use her back and stretch over her topline on the flat, so I would be surprised if she had already grasped the concept over fences. Here's a photo of me with a longer rein (apparently I do have a photo of her jumping the solo barrel) and, as you can see, there's just a loop in the reins. Also, she was a bit wild today, so I had a little more feel of her than normal.

@MBP - She really is coming along! I'm happy with her progress, especially considering just how much time off she's had since I got her. She's starting to grasp the concept of long, low, and stretchy and that's really helping her understand how I want her to step under and stretch over her back in a working frame as well.

@Skyseternalangel - Thanks! I'm really proud of her!

Klassic Superstar

11-18-2013 02:34 PM

Wow! Great fun photos!!
Love hearing the progress and you growing as a team! She really trusts you as her leader!!

More pictures! More!!

GodGirl11

12-05-2013 06:02 PM

GORGEOUS!!! I love grays when they're at the stage of coloring :) Keep up the great work!